Safuan Safri bin Saifulbahri v Pendakwa Raya

Court of Appeal · · Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This digest provides AI-generated summaries of recent Malaysian legal judgments and is provided for general informational purposes only. The digest may contain errors, omissions, or inaccuracies, and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. For complete and authoritative information, always consult a qualified legal professional and refer to official court sources (here) or the full text of original judgments. The providers of this digest accept no responsibility or liability for any loss and/or damage resulting from reliance on its contents.

Safuan Safri bin Saifulbahri v Pendakwa Raya
CourtCourt of Appeal
Judgment Date4 December 2025
Date Uploaded11 December 2025
Legal TopicsCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure
Parties

Appellant(s): Safuan Safri Bin Saifulbahri

Respondent(s): Pendakwa Raya

Bench
  • YA Dato' Azmi Bin Ariffin
  • YA Datuk Meor Hashimi bin Abdul Hamid
  • YA Dato' Sri Mohd Radzi bin Harun
Facts & Background
  • The appellant was charged with seven counts of sexual offences against his two stepdaughters, involving physical sexual assault and unnatural carnal intercourse, committed between 2015 and 2020.
  • The Sessions Court convicted the appellant on all charges, imposing sentences of imprisonment and caning, along with rehabilitation counselling and police supervision.
  • The High Court affirmed the Sessions Court's decision, leading the appellant to appeal to the Court of Appeal solely against the severity of the sentences.
Issues for the Court
  • Whether the sentences imposed by the Sessions Court for the seven sexual offence charges, affirmed by the High Court, were manifestly excessive.
  • Whether the Court of Appeal should exercise its discretion to reduce the sentences, considering the appellant's plea for leniency.
  • The extent to which public interest, deterrence, and the severity of sexual offences against children should influence sentencing decisions.
Decision
  • The Court unanimously dismissed the appellant's appeals against the sentences for all seven charges.
  • The Court affirmed the sentences imposed by the Sessions Court and upheld by the High Court, emphasizing the heinous nature of sexual offences and the betrayal of trust by a stepfather.
  • The Court underscored the paramount importance of public interest over individual interest in such cases, citing the need for deterrence and public confidence in the justice system given the rising trend of sexual crimes.
Link to JudgmentView Full Judgment

Related judgments

📬 Found this useful?

Get daily AI-generated summaries of Malaysian legal judgments from the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal straight to your inbox, free!